The echoing tap of Jonah's leather shoes reverberated nervously through the corridor. Cold sweat broke out on his brow as he sprinted, simultaneously attempting to reach Tatiana.His call went through, but nobody answered it.Abruptly, Jonah came to a standstill, startled by the faint ringtone he could barely discern. His heart raced as he traced the sound to the balcony.There, he found Tatiana's phone lying on the ground, and on the screen, Jonah's name was prominently displayed."Taty! Where are you? Taty!" Jonash screamed from the balcony, but there was no response."Jonah, how did Taty disappear?"Alyssa and Jasper rushed over to him hastily. Sean, who was injured, followed after them. "The security is stringent here. They keep records of everyone coming in and out. How could Tatiana just vanish?"I can't fathom this. Taty has to be somewhere within the castle. There's no way she would leave this place."Sean was like an ant on a hot pan. Tears streamed down his face, mixi
Sean's mind drifted to the worst-case scenario.If Taty were no longer a virgin, he wouldn't despise her. He would still take her as his wife. No matter the circumstances, she would always be perfect and pure in his eyes.Alyssa, consumed with regret, cursed vehemently. "I can't believe David had tarnished my good name. If I had known about his malicious intentions toward Taty, I would have let him die on the operating table.""I'll arrange for someone to discreetly handle David's men."Jasper was resolute and wanted to act fast. "David is a coward. He would never set such a sinister trap. His underlings must know something."A cold glint flashed with a swish.No one noticed when Jonah had unsheathed his cross-dagger. Yet, the intensity in his eyes was more menacing than the weapon itself. "I haven't used this dagger in a long time. Since that fucker David wants to play, I will play along."…Tatiana was carried into the guest room, unconscious, and tossed onto the bed.Her
As David brought Tatiana into the room, undressing and subjecting her to molestation and humiliation, Tatiana was partially conscious.Despite being aware, her limbs felt weak, and she couldn't summon the strength to open her eyes, let alone retaliate.The situation became even more harrowing for her. She would rather pass out or perhaps even die. Various thoughts raced through her mind. When she finally opened her teary eyes in shock, a desperate moan escaped her lips as she struggled in Sean's arms."Don't touch me … Don't touch me!""Taty, look at me! Look at who I am." Sean held his tears as he hugged her tightly.The sensation was as if a blunt knife had forcefully ripped open Sean's chest, extracting his beating heart from his sturdy body. He clenched his fingers so tightly that they seemed on the verge of breaking.As Tatiana heard the familiar voice, a glint flickered in her dreary eyes.She stared at Sean, afraid that it was all her imagination. Then, she cautiously c
David emitted an anxious, high-pitched shriek, sounding both piercing and ridiculous. Subsequently, a puddle of water seeped from his body, dampening the carpet beneath.That pompous show-off, David, had wetted himself.Alyssa seethed with anger. As she raised the weapon, Jasper intercepted by grabbing her wrist."Why are you stopping me?"Exerting force, Alyssa attempted to free her wrist from Jasper's firm grasp. "Don't tell me to fucking calm down! He mistreated my sister! Even Victor can't save him now!""I'm not stopping you. I feel the same way as you do," Jasper sighed, using his low and magnetic voice to coax her gently.Slowly, he moved his hand, carefully extracting the broken shard from her hand. "I don't want you to dirty your hands, and I'm even more afraid you'll injure yourself."Alyssa's red lips pursed tightly. She regained composure and ceased her insistence.A cold glint flashed in Jasper's eyes as his fingers curled into a fist. Then, with a distinct crunch,
"Do you truly believe your plan is foolproof, David?" Jonah's mesmerizing voice echoed.A loud noise accompanied the rolling of a large object, closely followed by a harrowing scream.To David's astonishment, the source of the sound was none other than his loyal secretary.David trembled, feeling his heart about to leap out of his chest."Please let me go … I beg you …"The secretary's face bore the marks of a beating, and he was tightly bound, his limbs hanging unnaturally. The tendons and hamstrings were deliberately snapped, pointing unmistakably to Jonah's characteristic method.The individual who trailed behind him was a capable man with captivating and seductive eyes."Sigh, what will become of this household without me?" A rare look of worry appeared on Julien's handsome face. Lovelace Pharmaceuticals also received an invitation for tonight. Given their reputation for the best medical standards in the country, they couldn't be excluded from such an event.Yet, the head
Sean jolted upright like a lit bomb, ready to charge forward. Despite his urge to charge forward, Tatiana clutched his hand so tightly that her fingers turned pale. "Don't, Sean."David remained a Schmidt, and Tatiana had the Taylor family's backing. What did Sean have? Tatiana couldn't let Sean get too entangled for her. However, before Sean could make a move, Alyssa swiftly stepped in and kicked David in the face.Alyssa's kick knocked out two of David's front teeth, leaving his mouth bleeding and a sizable hole in his upper gums.Jasper gasped silently, swallowing hard. Reflecting on his childhood memories of a movie called "The Henpecked Husband", Alyssa's beauty was on par with the female lead, though the female lead was never as brutal. As Jasper pondered this, his eyes narrowed, and a smile graced his lips. Alyssa's unpredictable and straightforward nature struck him as adorable."Hey, your sister is so scary. She gets physical the moment she hears something displeasing.
Tatiana drew a deep breath. Moments later, she frowned when she recalled a waiter who had bumped into her. "When I left the hall, I bumped into a waiter. That was when I felt a sting on my arm like a bee sting. It hurts a little, but only for a few seconds."David's secretary was taken aback. He had no idea about the waiter at all. Only David appeared stunned, and his eyes darted in guilt.Alyssa's chest tightened. She quickly checked Tatiana's slender arm and noticed a tiny, reddened puncture on her pale skin."Damn it!" she hissed, feeling sorry for Tatiana. "What did you inject into Tatiana, you bastard?""I told you, it was she who seduced me in the first place. I have nothing to do with this!" David insisted, even though his heart was pumping wildly.In the beginning, he was confident that Alyssa and everyone else had no evidence against her. However, after the androgynous doctor showed up and dissected the facts, they seemed one step closer to the truth.Rage burned in Jas
Alyssa was speechless at Landon's suggestion. Similarly, Jasper replied, "Mr. Harper, you're a grown man. Please behave like one."After Jasper hung up, David nearly peed himself out of fear.Alyssa fixed a threatening glare on him. "Now that we have a witness and solid evidence, you should explain yourself to the police and my dad."At this moment, David felt as if he was struck by lightning. He neared a breakdown, not because he feared the police—no one from the distinguished families had any regard for the police—but because he was afraid of Winston Taylor.The Schmidts might be family friends with the Taylors, but David had long heard from Victor about Winston's ruthlessness and his fierce loyalty to his family. Given that David's evil deed had been exposed, complete with evidence, he feared for his life when Winston learned about it. Not only that, the incident would mark the end of the relationship between the Schmidts and the Taylors, and for that, David might fall out of
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,